Serbian football legend Dragan Dzajic went on trial Monday on charges that he stole millions of dollars from player transfers.
Dzajic denied any wrongdoing, telling the court: “I always conducted my work within the limits of the law and I did not take anybody’s money.”
Dzajic, 64, is accused of pocketing money form the sale of at least four Red Star Belgrade players to western European clubs. He and two other defendants are facing up to 12 years in prison if convicted.
The group allegedly sidelined 7.2 million euros (9.8 million dollars) from the sale of Zoran Njegus to Atletico Madrid in 1998, Perica Ognjenovic to Real Madrid in 1999, Ivan Dudic to Benfica in 2000 and Goran Drulic to Zaragoza in 2001.
Before joining the Red Star administration, Dzajic was a left winger with Red Star and SC Bastia. He was capped 85 times for former Yugoslavia, scoring 23 goals.
In 2003, for the world football organization’s FIFA’s 50th anniversary, Serbia and Montenegro named Dzajic as the country’s most outstanding player ever.
After ending his playing career, Dzajic served as Red Star’s executive from 1979 until his resignation in 2004.
Dzajic was arrested three years ago and held in detention for five months. Police drew sharp criticism because it allowed the airing of the arrest and has subsequently ended the practice.
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